Japan’s Master Gardens: Lessons in Space and Environment

In this generously illustrated book, author and photojournalist Mansfield (Japanese Stone Gardens) explores the beauty and history of Japanese gardens. Mansfield is an expert guide who uses poetic prose and photographs to examine the Japanese senses of nature and space, and the culture’s fundamental gardening genres: the modular garden, the landscape garden, and the healing garden. The visual tour of 25 master gardens allows the reader to appreciate the exquisite details of each place, while also discerning the fundamental aesthetic principles that underlie the Japanese garden. Mansfield accompanies his striking photographs with a spare text that combines history, poetry, and thoughtful meditations on each space. It’s a wonderful balance of insight and visual delight. The guide is completed with a glossary, historic timeline, and bibliography. Color photographs throughout. (Apr.)